Serbia’s national football team faced a mounting injury crisis ahead of its decisive UEFA Nations League fixtures against Germany and Greece, losing midfielder Aleksandar Stanković from the training camp in Stara Pazova on November 10, 2026 (Radio-televizija Vojvodine).
Head coach Veljko Paunović had already been forced to adjust his squad following earlier withdrawals across multiple positions, according to Sport Magazin.
Stanković Suffers Right Thigh Adductor Muscle Injury
Stanković reported pain in his right groin during a training session on Monday, prompting the team’s medical staff to conduct clinical examinations and diagnostic tests.
Our A team’s medical service performed a clinical examination and additional diagnostics, after which an injury to his right thigh adductor muscle was diagnosed today. In agreement with the national team’s coaching staff and the club, it was decided that Stanković will return to Inter and continue the recovery process. We wish Aleksandar a fast and successful recovery and a return to the pitch as soon as possible.
Football Association of Serbia, Official Statement
The injury to his right adductor muscle ruled him out of both upcoming matches, and he returned to Italy to continue rehabilitation with Inter (Arena Sport). Mozzartsport noted that the Inter midfielder is considered one of the top young talents in Serie A (Mozzartsport).
The squad also lost experienced winger Filip Kostić of PSV Eindhoven due to a hematoma in his right leg (Radio-televizija Vojvodine). I have a small hematoma on my right leg. It’s nothing serious, I need to rest for a few days and I hope to return to the pitch as soon as possible.
Kostić explained, noting that medical scans recommended a short period of rest (Radio-televizija Vojvodine). Despite his withdrawal, Kostić traveled to Stara Pazova on Tuesday morning to greet teammates and offer support. Serbia captain Dušan Tadić stated that Kostić possesses a deep dedication to the national team and embodies how the country’s jersey should be respected, adding that the winger’s absence will be felt by the entire group both on and off the pitch.
Following Kostić’s injury, Paunović promoted Young Boys left-back Stefan Bukinac from the U21 selection to the senior squad. The initial roster called by Paunović for the final November matches comprised 29 players, including goalkeepers Vanja Milnković-Savić, Đorđe Petrović, Filip Stanković, and Dragan Rosić. Defensive options listed on the original sheet included Kosta Nedeljković, Stefan Gudelj, Strahinja Eraković, Nikola Milenković, Strahinja Pavlović, Srđan Babić, Nikola Simić, Aleksa Terzić, and Petar Sukačev.
The midfield group featured Nemanja Maksimović, Aleksandar Stanković, Andrija Živković, Filip Kostić, Sergej Milnković-Savić, Lazar Samardžić, Dušan Tadić, Saša Lukić, Vanja Dragojević, Vasilije Kostov, Vladimir Lučić, and Stefan Džodić, while the attacking options consisted of Aleksandar Mitrović, Dušan Vlahović, Luka Jović, and Mihajlo Cvetković.
Defensive Gaps Lead to New Call Ups
Defensive options were constrained further when AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlović was sidelined by a kidney blow sustained prior to the international break. Aleksa Terzić likewise missed the gathering due to an infection that impacted his blood counts. Paunović called up Milan Krpić from Győr and Stefan Bukinac from Young Boys to cover the defensive gaps (Sport Magazin, Radio-televizija Vojvodine).
Dušan Vlahović also missed the gathering due to undisclosed private reasons, marking a continued absence for the striker. Media reports noted that Pavlović faced additional uncertainty regarding his fitness due to medical evaluations monitoring his condition.
Paunović himself faced a touchline suspension for the match against the Germans after receiving two yellow cards.
p>Serbia hosted Germany on November 13, 2026, at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade, before traveling to Volos to face Greece on November 16 in the final round of the UEFA Nations League group stage.
The team entered the final fixtures seeking to secure points in Group A2 (Radio-televizija Vojvodine). In the group standings, the Netherlands and Greece held eight points each, Germany held five points, and Serbia remained without points after four played matches.